Saudi housing to launch unified lease system within weeks

Saudi Arabia is expected to launch the unified lease contract within weeks, Al Eqtisadiah newspaper reported citing Muhammad Al Batti, a senior official at the housing ministry.

The unified contract system, which is available on Absher, the e-services mobile application of the ministry, is ready for public launch, Al Batti added.

Four ministries--housing, interior, justice and labor & social development--are currently setting up criteria for Saudi citizens who are unable to pay rent under the "Ijar" (rent) system. They are also working to setup executive regulations for the system.

“Ijar” system aims to regulate the relationship between the owner and the lessee through registering the contract. It will link the Kingdom's real estate offices to a private technical network that shows tenants' information and credit histories in terms of rental payments, defaults and payment dates, whether monthly, semi-annually or annually, Argaam reported.